2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
4 cups flour
1 cup cocoa
2 tsp salt
1 cup sour milk
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup hot water
2 tsp baking soda
 
Cream shortening & sugar in large bowl. Add eggs. Beat well. Add flour, cocoa, and salt. Add sour milk & vanilla.
Put baking soda in hot water & add to mixture. Drop by spoonful on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes.
 
                                  VANILLA CREAM FILLING
 
4 cups 4X sugar
3/4 cup shortening
milk to moisten (not quite 1/4 cup)
4 tbsp flour
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
2 egg whites
 
Combine 1/2 sugar with shortening. Beat till lumps disappear. Add rest of sugar. Add flour & milk alternately, beating well. Add salt & vanilla. Add egg whites. Beat well till very smooth. Spread filling on one cookie. Top with other to make sandwich.
 
They freeze well in individual baggies.  Makes 3 1/2 -4 dozen pies.